13 comments:

Absolutely!!! Can you imagine being operated on by a 70 year old? Or a 70 year old coing with the stresses and strains of the classroom. And where will those who instigated this cruel policy be? Long retired on nice civil service pensions... We are being made to pay for their mistakes, overspending and failiure to control their banking mates. Bring back Anarchy, I say!!

Well said. My husband works in construction. Has been carrying heavy weights, climbing ladders, and working at heights for decades. We recently found out that although the govt think he will be fit for work until 68 our mortgage lender knows better. Lending ends at 65.

This debate has popped up in Australia also over the past fortnight. Of course most people cannot work in heavy industries and trades, or necessarily continue high-skilled professions such as surgery until 70. This matter requires a major re-think, including transitioning to retirement via reduced work-loads, part-time work, simpler tasks, whatever it takes. I know quite a few people who still work in their 70s, at least part-time, and some are in different work from that when they were younger. Flexibility is required, as most western economies will not be able to sustain pension plans for the huge number of over-65s whose life expectancy, here at least, is now around 90. Employers will have to be persuaded on this matter, of course.

Love the poem! I remember the days when the Gp's were in there seventies and could hardly hear what you were asking them. What will happen is people will still have to give up their jobs in their sixties but will get no pension until they are seventie. How will they survice? The government will have to pay someway. Stupid idea,lots of jobs could not possible have someone working until the age of seventie.Something serious will happen wioth health and safety (which their so keen on) and a re think will have to happen.

They'll claim long-term sickness benefit, or whatever it's called then. The government will then have an expensive inquiry into overspend on the sickness benefits budget ... I know it's a problem, but an inflexible work-till-you-drop approach doesn't solve it!

Well said, Jo! We are facing the same thing here. In fact, I already have to work until I'm 68, so that's only two off 70! Well okay, that's when I'll be entitled to an old age pension. If I can get away with stopping before then, though, I will, but then I'm self employed already, so what I do till then doesn't bother the government. The point is, the balance will be all out of kilter. As you've said, what will young people do if the older folk are all being forced to work longer? It's already hard enough for the youngsters. Great poem. You should send it on to Mr Cameron and co.